Ezekiel 29:13
Yet thus saith the Lord GOD; At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered: Yet thus saith the Lord GOD; At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered:
The word was spoken concerning Egypt about six hundred years before Christ, while Egypt was struggling with Babylon for supremacy in world empire. It belongs to the prophecies of judgment against Egypt in Ezekiel 29 to 32 concerning Pharaoh and his host. Those chapters stand with the prophecies against other nations in Ezekiel 25 to 31, concerning Ammon, Moab, and Tyre. Ezekiel 29 itself is numbered among prophecies against Egypt.
Egypt in this prophecy is a former oppressor of God's people and a symbol of black infidelity. The prophecy foretells the certain fate to come upon Pharaoh and his host. It declares Egypt's lasting abasement as the basest of the kingdoms. Brought low and abased, it would never again lift itself above the nations, rise again among the nations, or rule over the nations.
That abasement includes broken foundations, fallen supporters, and the pride of its power brought down. Its land was to be desolate among desolate countries and its cities wasted among wasted cities. Its idols were to be destroyed and its images caused to cease from Memphis, with no more a prince from the land of Egypt. Fire was to be set in Zoan, with judgments executed upon No.
The predicted judgments were literally fulfilled. Their fulfillment is evident today.